Thanks in part to the hair tousle seen ’round the world, or maybe because people aren’t as into watching Blake Shelton bob for apples as they used to be, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has now topped The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the ratings for nine consecutive weeks. This used to be a rarity; now it’s a given, although Colbert isn’t treating it as such.
This time last year, Colbert was “losing by more than a million viewers” to Fallon, according to the New York Times, and although The Tonight Show is still a bigger hit in the coveted 18-to-49 demographic, The Late Show is now on top in total viewers. To celebrate, Colbert hosts a “pizza day” for his staff.
Throughout the offices of The Late Show, staff members could be heard saying, “Pizza! Pizza!” — celebrating a reward that comes on Tuesdays when they beat The Tonight Show in the ratings. (Via)
“Classroom Instruments” is one of The Tonight Show‘s best recurring bits, but it can’t compete with what every child and adult wants most: free pizza. But despite the now-weekly parties, which could be mistaken as boasting, Colbert has no interest in criticizing Fallon. “The theory that that hair tousle made a difference is based on the supposition that Jimmy’s fans went to him for political acumen,” he said. “I don’t think so. They go there for fun. They go there for his nature, his spirit.” But not his dance battles.
(Via the New York Times)
